New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-16
PERSONAL POINTS AT THE CITY HALL

j. Edward Simmons who has Just been reelected
president Of the Board OF Education natural fitness
for exercising the duties OF presiding officer Although
only oryve years DID, he has been chairman OF seVer
boards OF directors IN corporations and other lnstu
tons, twice elected Master Of Masonic Lodge be-
came an Eminent Commander Of tho Knights Tempiar'
District Deputy Grand Master Of the Sixth Masonic
District and has held the Office OF Grand Marshal In tne
order, and in 1888 was chosen Grand Master OF tne
Grand Lodge OF Free MasOns since that tllno MT oln
mons has served president of the Stock Exchange anu
president OF the Board OF Edncatlon and ms n
mons Is young IN appearance, OF medium heght wears
mus ana generay cut%ay eoa, ad the Wholesale
grocery business In Troy and after short experience ~
that line 10 New York and engaged In business as
banker and broker His pleasant and agreeable man
ners make him many friends.
There is a GOODNESS between President Simmons and
exMayor Grace which, like the strained relations be-
tween the ex-MayOr and President Beckman, OF the
Board OF Aldermen has been the cause OF consideraoe
talk In local political circles. The eHMayor ana MI
Simmons formerly close political friends, ana MI
Simmons appointed Commissioners OF the Board OF
Education by Mr. who thought that his appontees
latng to their official duties Mr. Simmons IL not the
man 10 surrender his convictions I'm that way and when
Mr.. Grace Mayor sought TO dictate appointments
under the Board OF Education Mr. Summons declined 10
follow the Mayors direction When he came before the
Board Estimate SPEAK for the needs OF the schools
for 1857 MS recommendatons ana requests were reDt
away thinking had beeu personally insnlted lie
remarked that ho would not 20 before the Board OF Es
mate again until there was gentleman at the head oi
The position of exMayor in local politics is sim
gular one lie has many friends and many bitter
enemies the latter being numerous now than ever
befoe-while some OF his citizen admirers were con-
WINGED by the publication Of his letter recommending
Fatty" Walsh for ronbs Warden that they had been
deceived in him. At the time Mr.. Hewitt was nominated
Mayor Mr. Grace had strengthened his hold ON the
m DEM that he
the situation If u had not been for iamnanys bold course
factor In the organization But he s fun OF resources
u sink below the surface, ana tue Dem
ocratc politicians. are afraid OF him. He is doyotins
himself business and his Peruvian enterprises turn
expects he will rival the Vanderbs In wealth
In that lie Will be heard OF again In New-iork poll
tics
Tho Aqueduct Board Is not on peace basis, though
there is a suspension OF hostes. with expectation
OF developments Albany in the way OF new legislation
Spencer has been rceccd president OF the Commits
sion, hardly meeting passes that remarks ara not
made indicating the lack OF harmony between himself
and Mr.. Rdgway and Mr. Fish. The makeup OF this
Board indicates the cosmopolitan character OF city gov
eminent. Only member OF the Board Is native OF
city, the Others coming from the northern part OF the
State from Pennsy and elsewhere President spen-
though only f nine years DID, from his gray hair and
beard, looks much older lie Ia native OF Ogdensburt'
1858 lie appointed United states DistrctAttorney
for Northern New-iork by President Bucnanan. When
1868, the year when Tweed counted out Gfis"od Tor
Governor, Mr. spencer was chosen 10 I'LL an uncNpred
teru the superior court bench When he came up Tor
re election In 1871 he defeated. lie ran again III
1872. and again defeated and the operation Was re-
pe,ted when lie for Judge III 1870 Tue worst thng
charged against him Ia that he subscribed 10 weeds
statue 1871 lie continues 10 Practise law, and ~ pop
ular among lawyers nut he Ia M longer popular Ia IAN
many Hall the bosses do not consior HIM grateful
enough To them.
General spnola II greatly troubled with what Mr..
Hewitt calls the Presidential disease "-rhenmatsm.
The old Tammany warrior goes about with canes and
looks badly used up He confined TO his rooms tho
part year and no In able To do than
Tho General Ia credited with being worth good deal OF
nancy the most which lie made In getting the steam
hsating franchise from the Aldermen, and III similar work
at Albany.
EI.state Senator Arkel OF Cansjoharle, tells story
about grandson in whose sayiuRs he takes delight
Mrs Argen recently fell and broke w 10y. Tho surgical
necessities euircd weight should DO put upon tho
Injured member. II consisted of bag OF sand which
was suspeLdc. over tho foot board OF her boil. Ins
youpgster, when fut permitted 10 come IN Ia see MS
.raunother, Gso .vurod aud inspected thls hhhdbaE
Some OF tho sand nad dropped On tho DOnr Tue Ooj
gazcd for moment Ia silence and then exclaimed say,
grandma tho sand Is all running out OF your ieg.